Medford Council Approves $2 Million in Year-End Transfers, 4-3

Medford City Council · Meeting of July 14, 2026

Medford Council splits 4-3 on $2 million in year-end budget transfers after fire overtime overran its budget by $757,000. Budget Director Bob Dickinson told councilors fire overtime hit $2.557 million against a $1.8 million budget, partly covered by DPW turnbacks tied to long-vacant positions. Vice President Lazaro said the transfers made her feel "this elected position is being disrespected," while Councilor Scarpelli called the process "not the way to do business." Callahan, Lemming, Mullane and Singh approved the package; Scarpelli, Lazaro and President Beers opposed.

Separately, the council elected Laurel Siegel as city clerk through 2029 and voted 5-1 to take easements by eminent domain for a $10,649.26-and-up MassDOT safety overhaul of the Main Street and Mystic Avenue intersection, over objections from an affected property owner seeking a facilitated meeting on construction conditions.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
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• The complete report — 3,935 words

Source: the Medford City Council meeting of July 14, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.